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BY-LAWS
of
FIRST MONCTON UNITED BAPTIST CHURCH
NOTE: Where masculine appears, the feminine also applies. Where singular appears, the plural may also apply.
I - ADMISSION OF MEMBERS
1.1 Persons who have made a public profession of faith in Jesus Christ and been baptized by immersion shall be admitted to membership in the Church and subscribe to the conditions of the church Covenant.
1.2 Persons shall be admitted by "Letter of Transfer" from another Church providing they have been baptized by immersion and subscribe to the conditions in our church Covenant.
1.3 Persons shall be admitted to membership who have been baptized by immersion but who are unable to produce a "Letter of Transfer" and subscribe to the conditions of the church Covenant.
1.4 Persons who have withdrawn from Church Membership, and who make application for readmission shall be accepted for Church Membership and subscribe to the conditions of the Church Covenant.
1.5 All persons requesting membership (1.1, 1.2, 1.3 and 1.4 inclusive) shall be interviewed by a committee of two deacons who shall make a recommendation at any Midweek Service or any regular Sunday Service.
1.6 Acceptance into membership shall be by a majority vote of those present.
1.7 All persons entering into Church Membership shall be extended the Right Hand of Fellowship.
II - DISMISSION OF MEMBERS
2.1 Persons shall be removed from membership by "Letter of Transfer" to another Baptist Church when a request has been received in writing from that Church.
2.2 Persons requesting transfer to a Church of another denomination shall be given a certificate of demission and a letter of commendation to that church.
2.3 Requests for dismission shall be dealt with at a regular Midweek Service or regular Sunday Service and shall be determined by a majority vote of those present.
2.4 Persons requesting, in writing, termination of membership shall be granted dismission.
III- ADHERENTS
3.1 A record shall be kept of all non-members regularly attending the Worship Services of the church.
3.2 Adherents shall normally receive all mailings from the Church.
3.3 Adherents shall be welcome at all regular and special business meetings but shall not be entitled to vote.
3.4 Adherents shall be encouraged to contribute to the regular financial support of the Church.
IV - THE PASTORAL STAFF
4.1 The Senior Pastor shall be responsible for the Sunday and Midweek Services and shall, under the direction of the Deacons, have oversight of the total ministry of the Church.
4.2 The Senior Pastor shall be an ex-officio member of all Boards and Committees.
4.3 The Senior pastor shall be responsible for preaching, teaching, baptism, the Lord's Supper, and general pastoral care of the total congregation.
4.4 The Senior Pastor shall exercise oversight of the church staff in the performance of their duties and shall report on their performance, as requested, to the Board of Deacons concerning pastoral staff or music staff and to the Board of Trustees on other staff.
4.5 The pastoral staff shall meet regularly to plan for the on-going welfare of the Church.
4.6 All members of the pastoral staff shall report at the regular meetings of the Church Executive and shall prepare a written report to be presented at the Annual Business Meeting.
4.7 Members of the church staff shall report regularly, as requested, to the Board or Committee under which they function.
V - THE CALLING OF A MEMBER OF THE PASTORAL STAFF
5.1 The Pulpit Committee shall be made up as follows:
(a) The Moderator who shall act as chairman.
(b) Three deacons named by the Board of Deacons.
(c) One trustee named by the Board of Trustees.
(d) One Board of Christian Education member named by that Board.
(e) The Church Treasurer.
(f) The Church Clerk
(g) Three other members named by the standing Nominating Committee.
These three members cannot be members of Boards.
5.2 The Pulpit Committee shall discuss with the person whom they propose to recommend to the Church membership all terms of employment as a member of the pastoral staff.
5.3 The quorum for the special meeting to consider the "call" to a member for the pastoral staff shall be sixty church members.
5.4 The members shall be informed of all things considered in recommending the "call" and shall inform the membership of the terms of employment which were discussed.
5.5 The vote shall be by secret ballot and affirmation of the call must be by a two-thirds majority of those present and eligible to vote.
5.6 The person receiving the call must read the Constitution, By-Laws, and Church Covenant and agree to abide by them.
VI - THE RESIGNATION OF A MEMBER OF THE PASTORAL STAFF
6.1 The Church or a member of the pastoral staff may dissolve the pastoral relationship by giving three months' notice, or less if there is a mutual agreement.
VII - THE DUTIES OF THE MODERATOR AND VICE MODERATOR
7.1 The Moderator shall preside at all meetings of the Church Executive, regular or special meetings of the Church membership, and as otherwise required by the Constitution or By-Laws.
7.2 The Moderator shall be responsible for seeing to the carrying out and implementation of all decisions duly passed at any Business Meeting by referring the matter to the appropriate Board or Committee.
7.3 The Moderator shall determine that all Boards and Committees are suitably organized to carry out their functions.
7.4 The Moderator shall not be an officer or member of any Board during the term of office.
7.5 In the absence of the Moderator, the Vice-Moderator shall perform all necessary functions of the Moderator.
VIII - THE DUTIES OF THE CHURCH CLERK
8.1 The Church Clerk shall call all regular and special meetings of the Church membership.
8.2 The Church Clerk shall ensure that proper minutes are kept of all regular and special meetings of the Church membership.
8.3 The Church Clerk shall ensure that all letters of acceptance and dismission of members to other churches receive proper attention.
8.4 The Church Clerk shall be responsible for all correspondence arising from regular or special meetings of the Church membership.
8.5 The Church Clerk shall ensure that the membership secretary maintains a faithful record of all members of the church.
8.6 The Church Clerk shall make an annual Membership Report to the Annual Business Meeting.
IX - THE DUTIES OF THE CHURCH TREASURER AND
THE ASSISTANT CHURCH TREASURER
9.1 The Church Treasurer shall keep an accurate and detailed record of all money transactions - deposits, payments, withdrawals.
9.2 The Church Treasurer shall do all financial transactions by cheque and shall deal only with a Chartered Bank, Trust Company or the Foundation of the United Baptist Convention of the Atlantic Provinces as approved by the Board of Trustees.
9.3 All bills and payments as approved by the appropriate Board or Committee shall be paid promptly.
9.4 Bills for fixed charges such as salaries, fuel and light need not have prior approval.
9.5 The Church Treasurer shall report regularly to the congregation the financial position of the church.
9.6 The Church Treasurer shall be responsible for the preparation of the yearly financial Statement for presentation at the Annual Business Meeting.
9.7 The Church Treasurer shall collect all necessary input from board and Committees which is necessary for the preparation of a budget to be presented to the Church Executive for revision, approval, and presentation to the Annual Business Meeting.
9.8 The Assistant Treasurer shall render the Treasurer such assistance as required, and, in his absence, shall perform all duties of the Treasurer.
X - DUTIES OF THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY AND
ASSISTANT FINANCIAL SECRETARY
10.1 The Financial Secretary shall keep a faithful record of the envelope giving of each contributor.
10.2 The Financial Secretary shall, at year's end, provide each contributor with a receipt for his/her contributions.
10.3 The records kept by the Financial Secretary relative to individual contributions are confidential with him/her or as otherwise determined by the Church Executive.
10.4 The Assistant Financial Secretary shall render such assistance as may be required by the Financial Secretary, and, in his absence, fulfil all necessary responsibilities.
XI - THE COMPOSITION AND DUTIES OF THE CHURCH EXECUTIVE
11.1 The Executive shall consist of the Moderator, Clerk, Treasurer, Chairman of the Boards of Deacons, Trustees, and Christian Education, and the Presidents of the Missionary Committee and Women's Missionary Society.
11.2 The members of the pastoral staff shall be members ex-officio.
11.3 When any member is unable to attend a meeting of the executive, an alternate shall be designated to attend.
11.4 The Executive shall meet monthly, except in July and August, to hear necessary reports and recommendations to boards, or in special meetings as called by the Moderator.
11.5 A quorum shall be six members.
XII - THE COMPOSITION AND DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF DEACONS
12.1 A deacon is elected for three years and may be re-elected to serve another three years.
12.2 Upon completing his/her permitted terms of office, a deacon must retire for one year before being eligible for re-election.
12.3 A deacon elected to serve either the first or second unexpired term of another deacon shall be considered as having filled the position for the full term of three eyars and shall, under the provision of By-law 12.1, be eligible for one more three year term before retiring for at least one year.
12.4 Normally, five deacons shall retire each year and shall be replaced by persons elected at the Annual Business Meeting.
12.5 Nominations for the office of deacon shall be made to the Nominating Committee by a special Committee made up of three deacons (appointed by the deacons), three church members (appointed by the Nominating Committee), and the Senior Pastor, ex-officio.
12.6 The Nominating Committee shall present these names at the Annual Business Meeting.
12.7 The Board of Deacons shall meet once a month except during the months of July and August, or in special meeting as called by the chairman.
12.8 Eight members shall constitute a quorum.
12.9 At its first meeting in February, the Board shall elect a chairman, two vice-chairmen, secretary, and these deacons shall constitute the Executive of the Board.
12.10 Deacons will be chosen for their qualifications as set forth in Acts 6:3 and I Timothy 3:8-13.
12.11 The duties of the Board shall be (but not limited to):
(a) the general oversight of the work of all members of the pastoral staff;
(b) determining the yearly salaries for members of the pastoral staff;
(c) assisting in the ordinance of Believer's Baptism and the Lord's Supper;
(d) giving permission for the absence of members of the pastoral staff and arranging
for substitutes and to incur reasonable expenses for such substitutions;
(e) having general oversight and involvement in the care (spiritual and personal) of
the church fellowship;
(f) an annual review of the membership with special regards to those who are not
regularly in fellowship with our church;
(g) giving approval for use of the Sanctuary for any purpose;
(h) administering the Benevolent Fund;
(i) perform such other duties as are set forth in the Constitution;
(j) assuming responsibility for duties not specifically carried out by any other Board
or Committee;
(k) presenting a written report to the Annual Business Meeting.
XIII - THE COMPOSITION AND DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
13.1 A trustee is elected for three years and may be re-elected to serve another three years.
13.2 Upon completing his/her permitted terms of office, a trustee must retire for one year before being eligible for re-election.
13.3 A trustee elected to serve either the first or second unexpired term of another trustee shall be considered as having filled the position for the full term of three years and shall, under the provision of By-law 13.1, be eligible for one more three year term before retiring for at least one year.
13.4 The Church Treasurer is an ex-officio member of the Board of Trustees.
13.5 Normally, four trustees will retire each year, and nomination for replacement shall be made by the Nominating Committee at the Annual Business Meeting.
13.6 A quorum shall be seven members.
13.7 The Board of Trustees is authorized to spend such monies as are authorized in the Church Budget. In emergencies the Board of Trustees is authorized to spend the sum of $10,000.00 without church membership or budget approval for an item or items, which the Board of Trustees considers essential and only after such expenditure has been approved by a two thirds vote of the full Board. The total of the emergency expenditures in any one year shall not exceed $30,000.00. All such expenditures shall be reported to the Church membership in the Board’s annual report to the Church. Any expenditure in excess of $10,000.00 shall be approved by a special meeting of the Church membership called for that purpose.
13.8 The Board of Trustees shall report monthly to the Church Executive.
13.9 The Board of Trustees shall prepare a written report for presentation at the Annual Business Meeting.
13.10 A member of the Board of Trustees shall be appointed to serve on the Music Committee.
13.11 Other duties of the Board of Trustees shall be (but not limited to):
(a) engaging all necessary secretarial and custodial staff, determining their salaries,
working conditions, and having general oversight of the work performance
(church membership is not a condition of employment); in the normal day to day
operation, the church secretary and church custodian shall report to the senior
pastor or, in his absence to a member of the pastoral staff.
(b) accepting resignations and terminating employment; one month's notice shall
normally be required;
(c) having oversight and control of all church property and maintaining such property
as required and as budget permits;
(d) performing all duties as specified or implied in the act of Incorporation;
(e) approving the use of all church facilities except the sanctuary;
(f) setting all rules for the use of all church equipment in consultation with persons
affected;
(g) performing such duties not specified but lying within what might normally be
expected of such a Board.
13.12 At the first meeting in February the Board of Trustees shall elect a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and Secretary and shall determine such committees as are necessary to carry out the duties of the Board.
13.13 The Board shall meet monthly, except during July and August, or in special meeting called by the chairman.
XIV - THE COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
14.1 A member of the Board of Christian Education is elected for three years and may be re-elected to serve another three years.
14.2 Upon completing his/her permitted term of office, a member of the Board of Christian Education must retire for one year before being eligible for re-election.
14.3 A member of the Board of Christian Education elected to replace someone who has left the board, will start with his own new term as per 14.1
14.4 Nominations to the Board of Christian Education shall be made by the Nominating Committee at the Annual Business Meeting, including the Chairman and Treasurer, who will be part of the twelve (12) members of the Board.
14.5 At the first meeting in February, the Board shall elect a Vice-Chairman and Secretary, and form desired committees.
14.6 The Board shall report monthly to the Executive.
14.7 The Board of Christian Education shall prepare a written report for presentation at the Annual Business Meeting.
14.8 The Board shall meet once a month except in July and August or in special meeting called by the chairman.
14.9 Other duties of the Board of Christian Education shall be (but not limited to):
(a) developing a full Christian Education program;
(b) assisting in obtaining leadership in all areas of program;
(c) recommending to the Nominating Committee the Church School Superintendent
who shall be one of the twelve members of the Board of Christian Eduction;
(d) approving all curriculum, teaching materials, and audio-visual aids by any
organization under its jurisdiction;
(e) arranging training programs for all leadership;
(f) allocating space for its programs in cooperation with the Board of Trustees;
(g) having general supervision of the Church Library, and, in co-operation with the
Board of Trustees, all audio-visual and drama equipment;
(h) developing long range goals;
(i) performing such duties not specified but lying within what might normally be
expected of such a Board.
XV - THE COMPOSITION AND DUTIES OF THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE
15.1 The Nominating Committee shall be made up of the Senior Pastor, the Moderator, Chairman of the Boards of Deacons, Trustees, and Christian Education, President of the Women's Missionary Society, and five additional members elected annually at the Annual Business Meeting.
15.2 The five additional members shall be presented by the standing Nominating Committee, and only one member of the same family shall serve st the same time.
15.3 The Moderator shall be chairman of the Nominating Committee.
15.4 In September of each year, the chairman shall call a meeting of the Nominating Committee and commence preparation of a report for presentation to the Annual Business Meeting. This report shall contain nominations to all Boards, Committees, or delegates as required either by the Constitution or By-Laws.
15.5 (a) Only persons who have given consent shall be nominated to any position.
(b) No person shall be elected to more than one of the following: The Board of
Deacons, the Board of Trustees, the Moderator, Treasurer or Church Clerk.
15.6 When the Nominating Committee presents its report, nominations may be received from the floor. When additional nominations are made, election shall be by secret ballot and conducted by the Church Clerk.
XVI - THE COMPOSITION AND DUTIES OF COMMITTEES AND DELEGATES
16.1 At each annual business meeting the following delegates and committees shall be presented by the Nominating Committee to the membership for approval. Members of the Missionary, Music, Evangelism and Social Action committees shall have a maximum term of 6 consecutive years then must retire at least one year before being eligible for re-election. A member of any other committee may serve as chairman for 6 consecutive years, then must relinquish that position for at least one year (but may remain on the committee) before being eligible for re-election.
(a) delegates to the United Baptist Convention of the Atlantic Provinces as authorized
under the by-laws and regulations of Convention
(b) delegates to the Westmorland-Kent Association as permitted under the by-laws
and regulations of the Association
(c) two delegates to the Canadian Bible Society as church representatives;
(d) a chairman of a Flower Committee who shall have power to add such members
as are necessary to ensure the "decoration" of the sanctuary for Sunday Services,
and for special services as required;
(e) a chairman of a House Committee with power to add such other members as may
be necessary to take responsibility for kitchen equipment, make recommendations
to the Trustees for equipment, and prepare a yearly inventory for the Trustees;
(f) a Missionary Committee consisting of twelve members elected annually and four
members appointed by virtue of their office - Sunday School Superintendent,
President of the Women's Missionary Society, Church Treasurer, and the member
of the pastoral staff charges with youth work; it shall be responsible for the
overall development of support and promotion of missionary work throughout the
whole church family; it shall prepare the Missionary and Extension Budget; it
shall arrange missionary programs;
(g) an Evangelism and Social Action Committee made up of three members elected
annually, six members who are representatives of committees engaged in
Evangelism Outreach and Social Action, and one member from each of the three
Boards; it shall initiate programs of Evangelistic Outreach in the church and
community in consultation with the Board of Deacons; it shall lead the Church in
its ministry of Christian social action to people in need, and, as advisable in the
Church's dealing with other community social action agencies;
(h) a Music Committee made up of four members elected annually (non-choir
members), the president and one other member of the choir, a member of the
Board of Trustees, a member of the Board of Deacons and the Minister of Music
or the Choir Director - ex officio; it shall meet at the call of its chairman or the
Minister of Music/Choir Director and shall deal with such business as leadership
in all music programs; recommendations to the Trustees for purchase and repairs
of equipment, the care and replacement of all church music; securing of
all substitute organists and pianists as requires for any service conducted in the
church; when the position of Minister of Music/Choir Director becomes vacant to
conduct a search and recommend to the Executive for approval the replacement
with employment conditions;
(i) a Publicity Committee made up of the pastoral staff, church secretary, and such
members as from time to time, may be considered necessary, shall be charged
with publicity for all regular services, programs, and special events and programs;
(j) a Social Committee with a Chairman elected annually shall arrange social
functions as required and authorized by appropriate Boards and Committees of the
Church; it shall keep records of numbers served and financial transactions to be
reported to the Church Executive from time to time;
(k) a chairman of a Committee of Tellers with teams of at least 4 tellers for each Sunday morning as well as adequate tellers fro evenings shall be presented to the church at the Annual Business Meeting; it shall so organize that at least four tellers for morning and at least two for evening, shall immediately after each service, assist in counting and recording all offerings received; each teller shall initial the report; two tellers shall place all monies in the night depository of the Church's bank;
(l) a chairman of a Transportation Committee with power to add, shall be presented
at the Annual Business Meeting; this committee shall arrange transportation, as
required, for services and special events;
(m) a chairman of an Usher's Committee together with Captains for 12 months with power to add members shall be presented at the Annual Business Meeting; this committee shall organize teams of ten people with Captains; ushers shall meet people at the doors, take them to a seat, and provide them with a calendar; it shall arrange for the offerings to be taken; its members should be available in case a member of the congregation becomes ill;
(n) a chairman of a Visitation and Hospital Committee, with power to add, shall be
presented at the Annual business Meeting; this committee shall be charged with
visiting the sick, aged, and shut-in members and adherents of the church
fellowship;
(o) a chairman of a Welcoming Committee with power to add, shall be presented at
the Annual Business Meeting; it shall be organized to greet people at both main
entrances at the Sunday morning services; where possible, husband and wife
teams will be used.
(p) an Historical Records Committee made up of five (5) members shall be
responsible for the collection and conservation of all the church's vital records
deemed to be of historical value
XVII - THE ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING
17.1 An agenda shall be prepared by the Executive and other items of business may be added at the meeting by vote of those present;
17.2 (a) all Annual Reports shall be prepared and submitted to the Executive for approval by January 15th of each year;
(b) the Annual Church Report shall contain the annual reports from pastoral staff, church officers, boards, committees, Sunday School, societies, and all organizations functioning under the Constitution, By-Laws, or Boards of the Church, as approved.
(c) copies of the Report shall be available to the church fellowship by no later than the Sunday preceding the Annual Business Meeting;
(d) the budget shall be considered and adopted;
(e) the Financial Statements shall be approved;
(f) the Nominating Committee shall present a complete report containing all positions
as outlined in the Constitution and By-Laws;
(g) acceptance of any motion shall be by majority vote except where Constitution
rules otherwise;
(h) all business shall be conducted according to Roberts Rules of Order;
(i) prayer and Bible reading shall be part of the order of business;
(j) the Moderator shall be charges with arranging all aspects of the Annual Business
Meeting.
XVIII
Any adopted changes to the Constitution and By-Laws shall be printed and distributed at a regular Sunday morning service to all interested persons.
XIX
All Boards and Committees, except when the chairman is specified, shall be convened for the first meeting by the first person listed for that Board or Committee in the Report of the Nominating Committee.
XX
In matters of church discipline the Word of God shall be observed as the rule of faith and order. (See: Matthew 18: 15-17, I Timothy 5:19-21, Luke 17: 3-4.)
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| Last Updated ( Tuesday, 24 June 2008 11:35 ) |